Shenango Valley News

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) has introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office in Titusville, Pennsylvania after Edwin Drake, the first American to successfully drill for oil. The bill aims to rename the Titusville Post Office to the Edwin L. Drake Post Office Building.

Speaking about the initiative, Rep. Kelly highlighted the significance of Edwin Drake in American history, stating, "Edwin Drake is a fixture not only of Crawford County history, but also of American history. His invention led to a revolution that transformed the world, putting Titusville and the entire Oil Region on the map." Kelly emphasized the importance of honoring Drake for his role in shaping the modern world.

The legislation has garnered support from the entire Pennsylvania delegation of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Edwin Drake made history in 1859 as the first person to use an iron pipe to drill for oil. His innovative approach quickly led to significant daily oil production, marking the beginning of the Pennsylvania oil rush. This event sparked an economic revolution in Western Pennsylvania that had far-reaching impacts globally.

After Drake's passing in 1880, his legacy was preserved in Titusville, where the original tools he used can be found at the Drake Well Museum. Rep. Kelly's bill seeks to rename the Titusville Post Office in honor of Edwin L. Drake.

This is not the first time Rep. Kelly has championed such a cause. In 2022, he successfully passed legislation to rename the Butler, Pennsylvania Post Office after Civil War hero Andrew Gomer Williams, a native of Butler County. The renaming ceremony for the Post Office took place in 2023, officially designating it as the Andrew Gomer Williams Post Office Building.